If I'm a believer, although not really a devout practitioner (one who practices his/her faith). Why do I continue to sin even though I know that it's a sin against God? If I know it offends God. Why do I still do it?
Why would I continue to sin if I'm a believer?
- Thread starter Prognostic
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Romans 7
and
I also wonder what possible role or purpose does the flesh serve during the process of sanctification
and
I also wonder what possible role or purpose does the flesh serve during the process of sanctification
Because you are still in the old body of flesh. The body is weak though the spirit is willing. When we are glorified together with Christ we will have a new body that will be like His glorified body.
For the cause of Christ
Roger
For the cause of Christ
Roger
and
I also wonder what possible role or purpose does the flesh serve during the process of sanctification
Hi boss could you expand on what you mean? Are you asking for yourself too or it says that somewhere? I'm trying to get my head around it!
Thanks for posting Romans 7. It offers some comfort and hope. Yay though I am a sinner, yay though I believe. Yet I still sin. Because of the sin that is within me. Yet though because I believe. I will be set free from sinning again. And from the law of sin which is death. Because of the faith of Christ that is within me. I guess that will be after my death and or the rapture. Whichever comes first. I just feel so weak and out of control sometimes. And it wrecks me man. Oh retched man that I am! Woe is me! I smite my chest like the Roman centurian did and dare not even look up into heaven and say Lord God forgive me a sinner!
How much happier I would be if I could be set free now and know that I truly am and will never again commit the same sin. Like a dog that returns to it's own vomit! Because it just doesn't make any sense when I do when it's contrary to everything I truly believe. Ah we see through a misty window right? One that only God can wipe clean to make it all clear for us.
Yay that I sin. Yet I still believe. Just need time now. Time to heal. Time to confess and repent to seek conviction from the spirit and find forgiveness and refreshing. Because my mind heart and soul just goes bat crazy when I walk off the path and set myself in a way that is in unright with God! You know?
I also wonder what possible role or purpose does the flesh serve during the process of sanctification
Hi boss could you expand on what you mean? Are you asking for yourself too or it says that somewhere? I'm trying to get my head around it!
Thanks for posting Romans 7. It offers some comfort and hope. Yay though I am a sinner, yay though I believe. Yet I still sin. Because of the sin that is within me. Yet though because I believe. I will be set free from sinning again. And from the law of sin which is death. Because of the faith of Christ that is within me. I guess that will be after my death and or the rapture. Whichever comes first. I just feel so weak and out of control sometimes. And it wrecks me man. Oh retched man that I am! Woe is me! I smite my chest like the Roman centurian did and dare not even look up into heaven and say Lord God forgive me a sinner!
How much happier I would be if I could be set free now and know that I truly am and will never again commit the same sin. Like a dog that returns to it's own vomit! Because it just doesn't make any sense when I do when it's contrary to everything I truly believe. Ah we see through a misty window right? One that only God can wipe clean to make it all clear for us.
Yay that I sin. Yet I still believe. Just need time now. Time to heal. Time to confess and repent to seek conviction from the spirit and find forgiveness and refreshing. Because my mind heart and soul just goes bat crazy when I walk off the path and set myself in a way that is in unright with God! You know?
Interesting. So once saved, you are truly always saved and can't lose it no matter how many times you sin then?
There are many who disagree with this, but:
1. It seems to me the preponderance of scripture shows that salvation is not something you're capable of losing.
2. Many different things happen at the moment you are saved (regenerated), and when we add up all the different types of things that happen at salvation, we get a large composite picture of a thing we are not capable of undoing.
...
Why would you consider yourself a sinner if you're born of God?
1 John 3:9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God.
1 John 5:18We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.
Salvation is a singular event where God makes a sinner into His child through Christ. By grace through faith. Sanctification is a life long process whereby God grows and matures us to serve Him teaching us to rely upon His strength because we are weak. We have this treasure in earthen vessels that the glory may be of God.
For the cause of Christ
Roger
This might help your studies.
What is progressive sanctification?
Answer: The word translated “sanctification” in most Bibles means “separation.” It is used in the New Testament, according to Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, of the separation of the believer from evil, and it is the result of obedience to the Word of God. Progressive sanctification is what gradually separates the people of God from the world and makes them more and more like Jesus Christ.
Sanctification differs from justification in several ways. Justification is a one-time work of God, resulting in a declaration of “not guilty” before Him because of the work of Christ on the cross. Sanctification is a process, beginning with justification and continuing throughout life. Justification is the starting point of the line that represents one’s Christian life; sanctification is the line itself.
Sanctification is a three-stage process – past, present, and future. The first stage occurs at the beginning of our Christian lives. It is an initial moral change, a break from the power and love of sin. It is the point at which believers can count themselves “dead to sin but alive to God” (Romans 6:11). Once sanctification has begun, we are no longer under sin’s dominion (Romans 6:14). There is a reorientation of desires, and we develop a love of righteousness. Paul calls it “slavery to righteousness” (Romans 6:17-18).
The second stage of sanctification requires a lifetime to complete. .....More reading @ Link
What we want to look at is not are we obtaining sinless perfection, but are we growing and sinning less? We will always need His grace, but sanctification should be causing growth and new normals, right?
We all await our redemption, to be set free finally:
Rom 8:23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
Rom 8:24 For in this hope we were saved. Now R26hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?
If you diodn't worry about why you sin and offend God, then there would be a real issue.
It isn't your sinning that make's you a sinner. You sin because you are a sinner. Unfortunately until the day of redemption ever believer will remain a sinner.
If we were able to live a perfect sinless life we wouldn't need a saviour.
John 1:29 The Baptist says: Behold the Lamb of God, which ""taketh away the sin of the world"".
2 Cor 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him
A sinless Jesus the Christ ( 2 Cor 5:21, Heb 4:15, 1 Jn 3:5 1 Pet 1:19, 1 Pet 2:22) became man's substitute for sin:
Gal 1:4 (A) Who gave himself for our sins
1 Timothy 2:6 Jesus himself a ransom for all.
Heb 7:27 Jesus Christ was the ultimate sacrificial substitute once for all time.
1 Pet 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
Titus 2:14 (A) Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity
(Faith in Christ's payment, redeems us from ALL INIQUITY!)
Ps 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions (<<PLURAL) from us.
Placing your Faith in Jesus, Redemptive Sin Atoning Sacrifice. Takes away/removes """All""" your sins.
Bad news you'll always be a sinner. Good news, every believers sin is IMPUTED onto Christ. And Christ's perfect sinless righteousness is IMPUTED onto the believer.
Impute: Strong's Concordance #1677, Verb, Greek word = ellogao
Definition: to charge to one's account, impute
Usage: I charge to, put to one's account, impute.
Impute Theology: https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=impute+definition&spf=1495026567220
ascribe (righteousness, guilt, etc.) to someone by virtue of a similar quality in another.
"Christ's righteousness has been imputed to us"
Rom 4:8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
Rom 4:11 Abraham received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
(NOTE: God imputed righteous onto Abraham. When Abraham placed his FAITH in Gods promises)
Rom 4:22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
(NOTE: Thru FAITH, righteousness was IMPUTED onto Abraham)
Rom 4:23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;
(NOTE: Thru our FAITH placed in God. He will also IMPUTE Christs righteous onto us)
Rom 4:24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
(NOTE: When we believe/trust Christ out sins are imputed/transfered into him & His righteousness is imputed onto us)
Rom 4:25 Jesus was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
(NOTE: A sinless Christ bore & took upon Himself. Every believers sin & thru Faith placed in Christs sin atoning sacrifife & resurrection. A sovereign God "Declares us Righteous")
2 Cor 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
(NOTE: Our trespasses/sins are forgiven and will not be imputed onto us. We are reconciled to God. When we place our faith in the Sin Atoning Sacrifice, found in the death, burial & resurrection of Christ Jesus. aslo see 1 cor 15:1-4)
Rom 5:13 until (before) the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
Gal 5:18 if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
KJV Dictionary - Definition - FORGIV'EN: Pardoned remitted.
Rom 4:7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
Eph 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
1 John 2:12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.
Final thought:
This notion a believer should beg/ask for forgiveness every time we miss the mark (SIN) is WRONG! You've already been FORGIVEN. The sin redemptive work was finished on the cross.
Your prayer should be: Father I missed the mark, Thank you for the forgiveness I have in Christ finished sin atoning work. Thank you in the name you've placed above all names, in Jesus name. Amen & amen!
If we were able to live a perfect sinless life we wouldn't need a saviour.
John 1:29 The Baptist says: Behold the Lamb of God, which ""taketh away the sin of the world"".
2 Cor 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him
A sinless Jesus the Christ ( 2 Cor 5:21, Heb 4:15, 1 Jn 3:5 1 Pet 1:19, 1 Pet 2:22) became man's substitute for sin:
Gal 1:4 (A) Who gave himself for our sins
1 Timothy 2:6 Jesus himself a ransom for all.
Heb 7:27 Jesus Christ was the ultimate sacrificial substitute once for all time.
1 Pet 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
Titus 2:14 (A) Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity
(Faith in Christ's payment, redeems us from ALL INIQUITY!)
Ps 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions (<<PLURAL) from us.
Placing your Faith in Jesus, Redemptive Sin Atoning Sacrifice. Takes away/removes """All""" your sins.
Bad news you'll always be a sinner. Good news, every believers sin is IMPUTED onto Christ. And Christ's perfect sinless righteousness is IMPUTED onto the believer.
Impute: Strong's Concordance #1677, Verb, Greek word = ellogao
Definition: to charge to one's account, impute
Usage: I charge to, put to one's account, impute.
Impute Theology: https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=impute+definition&spf=1495026567220
ascribe (righteousness, guilt, etc.) to someone by virtue of a similar quality in another.
"Christ's righteousness has been imputed to us"
Rom 4:8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
Rom 4:11 Abraham received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
(NOTE: God imputed righteous onto Abraham. When Abraham placed his FAITH in Gods promises)
Rom 4:22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
(NOTE: Thru FAITH, righteousness was IMPUTED onto Abraham)
Rom 4:23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;
(NOTE: Thru our FAITH placed in God. He will also IMPUTE Christs righteous onto us)
Rom 4:24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
(NOTE: When we believe/trust Christ out sins are imputed/transfered into him & His righteousness is imputed onto us)
Rom 4:25 Jesus was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
(NOTE: A sinless Christ bore & took upon Himself. Every believers sin & thru Faith placed in Christs sin atoning sacrifife & resurrection. A sovereign God "Declares us Righteous")
2 Cor 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
(NOTE: Our trespasses/sins are forgiven and will not be imputed onto us. We are reconciled to God. When we place our faith in the Sin Atoning Sacrifice, found in the death, burial & resurrection of Christ Jesus. aslo see 1 cor 15:1-4)
Rom 5:13 until (before) the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
Gal 5:18 if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
KJV Dictionary - Definition - FORGIV'EN: Pardoned remitted.
Rom 4:7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
Eph 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
1 John 2:12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.
Final thought:
This notion a believer should beg/ask for forgiveness every time we miss the mark (SIN) is WRONG! You've already been FORGIVEN. The sin redemptive work was finished on the cross.
Your prayer should be: Father I missed the mark, Thank you for the forgiveness I have in Christ finished sin atoning work. Thank you in the name you've placed above all names, in Jesus name. Amen & amen!
No one take this the wrong way.
The issue is not sin as such.
That was paid for on the cross.
The issue is ones attitude to sin.
Paul had to address this in Romans 5-6.
Belivers thought that as a result of grace they could sin all they want.
Where sin abounds so does grace.
Paul said "God forbid, this is not the case, some don't use it as an excuse"
But where sin abounds grace super abounds as such.
He then addressed why we sin in Romans 7.
I don't fully get it but sin resides in the flesh.
So it's not us sinning but sin that resides in the flesh.
So in a sense our born again Spirit reveals when we sin.
So we hate it when we sin, we want to battle against our sin.
If we do that then we have right attitude towards sin.
We confess our sin to our Father because we know we have got it wrong.
We cry out "Please help me"
That's totally different from "I don't give two hoots"
All sin is wilffull, its our attitude to it.
We fess it up because we know it's wrong.
Some will disagree with me but I think confession has more to do with relationship than forgiveness.
That part where you say you're not a sinner because you sin, but you sin because you're a sinner. I find that funny, don't we work all that Adam and Eve were not created as sinners? Do we not recall that they were not of sin at their creation and that they did not Do we not recall that they were not of sin at their creation?
unless you are saying that Adam and Eve were created by God with sin that God made them sin or that God creating them with sin it's not God's fault but it's the sins fault that God created in them. but I highly doubt you're going to say that's the way you see it. Did Sin work differently with us than it did Adam and Eve? that wouldn't sound very fair that other humans had a different way to live than we do and that the way they have sinned is different than us. that would be like saying they had more opportunity to not send then we do therefore all humans were not created in a fair circumstance even from the first time before sin existed inside humans.
We call someone a sinner because they sin. Do you refer to someone as a murderer before or after they sin? do you refer to someone as a thief before or after they steal? I'm sure God did not see humans as Sinners until they committed the action of sin.
I know we are all born with sin inside of us, just like every time I look at my baby I know deep inside her she's pure evil no matter how happy or innocent she looks. in that case I can see that we would sin because we have sinned that we are sinners because of our sin. But let's not forget it didn't work that way for Adam and Eve, the reason why sin does exist in humans that we are called Sinners, we were originally seen as Sinners because we committed the action of sin first.
Romans 7
“15 For that which I do (the failure) I allow not (should have been translated, “I understand not”; these are not the words of an unsaved man, as some claim, but rather a Believer who is trying and failing): for what I would, that do I not (refers to the obedience he wants to render to Christ, but rather fails; why? as Paul explained, the Believer is married to Christ, but is being unfaithful to Christ by spiritually cohabiting with the Law, which frustrates the Grace of God; that means the Holy Spirit will not help such a person, which guarantees failure [Gal. 2:21]); but what I hate, that do I (refers to sin in his life which he doesn’t want to do, and in fact hates, but finds himself unable to stop; unfortunately, due to the fact of not understanding the Cross as it refers to Sanctification, this is the plight of most modern Christians).”
“16 If then I do that which I would not (presents Paul doing something against his will; he doesn’t want to do it, and is trying not to do it, whatever it might be, but finds himself doing it anyway), I consent unto the Law that it is good (simply means that the Law of God is working as it is supposed to work; it defines sin, portraying the fact that the sin nature will rule in man’s heart if not addressed properly).”
“17 Now then it is no more I that do it (this has been misconstrued by many! it means, “I may be failing, but it’s not what I want to do”; no true Christian wants to sin because now the Divine Nature is in his life and it is supposed to rule, not the sin nature [II Pet. 1:4]), but sin (the sin nature) that dwells in me (despite the fact that some preachers claim the sin nature is gone from the Christian, Paul here plainly says that the sin nature is still in the Christian; however, if our Faith remains constant in the Cross, the sin nature will be dormant, causing us no problem; otherwise, it will cause great problems; while the sin nature “dwells” in us, it is not to “rule” in us).”
Excerpt From
The Expositor's Study Bible
Jimmy Swaggart
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-expositors-study-bible/id399697870?mt=11
This material may be protected by copyright.
Very - Very Important: If any Believer try's to do what the scripture says do in their own will-power, strength, and ability, the sin nature that was made dormant (not eliminated) when you where born-again, will be activated (the works of the flesh will manifest - Gal. 5:19-21). The Law says do - Grace says done. This is why I stated only the Holy Spirit can do what the scriptures ask of us through Faith in Christ and the Cross of Calvary where the victory was won.
“15 For that which I do (the failure) I allow not (should have been translated, “I understand not”; these are not the words of an unsaved man, as some claim, but rather a Believer who is trying and failing): for what I would, that do I not (refers to the obedience he wants to render to Christ, but rather fails; why? as Paul explained, the Believer is married to Christ, but is being unfaithful to Christ by spiritually cohabiting with the Law, which frustrates the Grace of God; that means the Holy Spirit will not help such a person, which guarantees failure [Gal. 2:21]); but what I hate, that do I (refers to sin in his life which he doesn’t want to do, and in fact hates, but finds himself unable to stop; unfortunately, due to the fact of not understanding the Cross as it refers to Sanctification, this is the plight of most modern Christians).”
“16 If then I do that which I would not (presents Paul doing something against his will; he doesn’t want to do it, and is trying not to do it, whatever it might be, but finds himself doing it anyway), I consent unto the Law that it is good (simply means that the Law of God is working as it is supposed to work; it defines sin, portraying the fact that the sin nature will rule in man’s heart if not addressed properly).”
“17 Now then it is no more I that do it (this has been misconstrued by many! it means, “I may be failing, but it’s not what I want to do”; no true Christian wants to sin because now the Divine Nature is in his life and it is supposed to rule, not the sin nature [II Pet. 1:4]), but sin (the sin nature) that dwells in me (despite the fact that some preachers claim the sin nature is gone from the Christian, Paul here plainly says that the sin nature is still in the Christian; however, if our Faith remains constant in the Cross, the sin nature will be dormant, causing us no problem; otherwise, it will cause great problems; while the sin nature “dwells” in us, it is not to “rule” in us).”
Excerpt From
The Expositor's Study Bible
Jimmy Swaggart
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-expositors-study-bible/id399697870?mt=11
This material may be protected by copyright.
Very - Very Important: If any Believer try's to do what the scripture says do in their own will-power, strength, and ability, the sin nature that was made dormant (not eliminated) when you where born-again, will be activated (the works of the flesh will manifest - Gal. 5:19-21). The Law says do - Grace says done. This is why I stated only the Holy Spirit can do what the scriptures ask of us through Faith in Christ and the Cross of Calvary where the victory was won.
Hello, Xethea
The post speaks to the present & makes no reference to Adam pre fall. Having said that, Adam sinned, and here we are. I found dozens of scripture that speak to our present sin condition, I'll share 8.
Romans 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
(NOTE: Please see my note in Ecclesiastes 7:20 below)
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
(NOTE: ALL, that includes Adam & Eve)
Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
(NOTE: The one man by which sin entered was Adam. He didn't have any children until after his fall/sin. And every child born after the fall (Except Christ) is born a sinner)
Genesis 6:5
And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
(NOTE: GOD is speaking here)
Psalam 14:1 (To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.) The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good
(NOTE: NONE that doeth good)
Psalm 51:5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me
(NOTE: Pre-birth - He was shapen in iniquity)
Psalm 58:3 The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.
(NOTE: They shey go astray as soon as they be born)
Ecclesiastes 7:20 For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not
(NOTE: Not ONE on earth that dosen't sin.
(NOTE: Christ, God in the flesh; John 1:14 is ONLY exception: 2 Cor 5:21, Heb 4:15, 1 Jn 3:5 1 Pet 1:19, 1 Pet 2:22)
I know that. But it's good to note to people who don't know that just because it's a certain way for us doesn't mean it was for everyone. The way it is for us isn't the way it started.
"You cannot win the battle against demons if you are still enjoying their company." Ask yourself whether you are allowing the Holy Spirit to transform you into a new man. Think about your relationship with Jesus. Is it growing? Are you falling deeper and deeper in love with the Lord? Are you maturing in your faith and growing in wisdom, discernment, and discipline? This life is not meant to be one where we hold Jesus' hand of Grace while indulging in pursuits of the flesh at every opportunity. There is a difference between slipping up and repenting, which means turning away from that behavior. If you keep returning to it, that is not true repentance.
If you are struggling with addiction, seek help from Christian support groups and be honest and real with those who are there to keep you accountable.
There is nothing in this world that is worth hurting Jesus for. He knows that we are not perfect and that while we are still in the flesh, we are prone to temptation. But he provides countless ways out of those temptations, ask Him for eyes to see those doorways out and for you to be strong enough to walk through them.
Each time you are presented with temptation, imagine a fork in the road. On one side, there is a glowing, Holy light. And on the other side, there are dancing demons luring and trying to pull you in. Don't give in to them. If you want to win the battle, you have to stop arming the demons with more weaponry to use against you! The deeper you dive into sin, the deeper and darker it gets.
If you are struggling with addiction, seek help from Christian support groups and be honest and real with those who are there to keep you accountable.
There is nothing in this world that is worth hurting Jesus for. He knows that we are not perfect and that while we are still in the flesh, we are prone to temptation. But he provides countless ways out of those temptations, ask Him for eyes to see those doorways out and for you to be strong enough to walk through them.
Each time you are presented with temptation, imagine a fork in the road. On one side, there is a glowing, Holy light. And on the other side, there are dancing demons luring and trying to pull you in. Don't give in to them. If you want to win the battle, you have to stop arming the demons with more weaponry to use against you! The deeper you dive into sin, the deeper and darker it gets.
One more thing, when you say you do not practice your faith, remember what the Lord reveals in the Book of James 2:14-20:
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
If faith without works is dead, then practicing one's faith and living out God's instructions for our lives is how we have a living faith that saves us from the flesh. You're in a good place here... connecting with other believers and seeking answers. Now allow God to walk you into a new chapter of spiritual maturity: one where you don't just believe, but you live out your faith in your daily life!
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
If faith without works is dead, then practicing one's faith and living out God's instructions for our lives is how we have a living faith that saves us from the flesh. You're in a good place here... connecting with other believers and seeking answers. Now allow God to walk you into a new chapter of spiritual maturity: one where you don't just believe, but you live out your faith in your daily life!